12 - Okay

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Shock was the correct way to describe Ian's reaction when he discovered his neighbor worked at Roche-Sumner. As a happy cellar dweller, he rarely emerged to the surface so he wouldn't recognize anyone who worked in the offices above.

Their encounter had been interesting, but he felt disappointed she was working longer. He had to stand back before he did something stupid. He covered his face with his hand, because he had. Did she know he remembered her wet comment? If he kept breathing in her feminine scent, he would be stupid and not flaccid. The only thing that kept his dick from going rogue was the energy it took to control his ire over the help desk. He was a techie, but he wasn't oblivious. Those guys were up to something and he planned to get to the bottom of it.

By the time he reached his building, he had a course of action. First step was research. He glanced at the dark basement apartment. Ainsley, he knew her name, was still at work.

Felix greeted him. He measured out his diet food and looked in the freezer for himself. When he cooked, he always made extras for another night. Because his knee didn't ache, he should cook, but his fridge was empty. His order came on Saturday morning, and he was meeting some friends after work on Friday. The less time he spent preparing food, the more time he could confirm his hunch.

On Friday afternoon, he left work on time. Hopefully, Ainsley wouldn't need his help. When he set out for work in the morning, he hoped to see her. Thinking of Brooke, he would offer to take the red line with her. Two acquaintances commuting together. It wasn't a date, but it would be a big step for a shy computer guy.

When he entered the bar area of the local restaurant his friend, Josie, was sitting at a table in the back. He smiled because computer geeks didn't like the middle tables.

She stood and greeted him with a hug. "Hey stranger. What's new?"

"Nothing like what's new with you?" He pointed to her pregnant belly. "Where's Seamus?"

"Working late like always." She frowned. "He promised me his first release will be done before this one is ready." She rubbed her belly affectionately.

"When he's rich and famous, it will all be worth it."

The three were friends at MIT for four years, but Seamus got the girl. Seamus had his own startup, and Josie worked for a large tech company for the health benefits.

"So how's single life?"

He glared at her. "The same as it's been since we met."

"Come on, you've dated. Remember lovely Rachel."

He smiled. "She was a disaster."

Josie laughed. "She was just a little possessive. You didn't complain at first."

He blushed. "I was nineteen, of course I didn't complain." He was a late bloomer, she was his first a lot of things.

"Then there was psycho Sue."

Ian knew she was making her way to his last relationship. He didn't need to revisit his inability to commit. "Seriously, we are not taking a trip down memory lane of my dating mistakes. No wonder I don't mind being single. My dad is dating!"

"Really?"

"Yup. I think it's serious too."

Josie smiled. "I'm happy for him. He's so cute."

"Cute?" Did women see his dad as cute or handsome?

"Sweet. Hey, does his dating bother you? I know you two are close. Closer than any other parent and child I know."

"It's weird. But if he's happy I'm happy. I'm relieved she said no kids. It would mortify me to have a sibling at thirty-four."

"You should find a woman and have your own kid."

He groaned. "Why does everyone say that?"

"Because it's true." She possessively touched her bump.

He looked away and changed the subject. "Are you going to take time off?"

"If we can afford it. How about you, do you work around the clock?"

"No. Although I worked last night trying to solve a problem."

"A bug?"

"No, the help desk has responded to a lot of calls about the WiFi going down." Also some printers weren't working.

"Spotty reception in the building."

"No." He shook his head but was distracted by activity at the bar. She was there, meeting a guy. He had a sour taste and took a sip. "Um. Only certain devices had repeated issues sprinkled through various departments." He watched as she took a seat at a table with her back to him. "I realized the users all have some things in common."

"What?" She looked on the edge of her seat.

"Young women. I only know one, but my guess is they are all beautiful or sexy."

"Sexy? Who's this woman you find sexy?"

Right there with the guy looking at the screen and not her. Ian had trouble keeping his eyes off her apartment windows, never mind her.

He shrugged, hoping to hide the truth. "So the kids on the help desk have been remotely changing IPs so they could have an excuse to help these women."

"How d'you figure it out?"

"I took a call after they left. They must not have planned on her working late. I'm guessing it surprised them when she didn't put a ticket in this morning."

"What are you going to do?"

"I sent an email out to the others to tell them to contact me directly. I haven't decided what to do next, but I'm meeting with HR."

"Wow! Who knew publishing would be so exciting? Oh, this is Seamus texting. He can't make it. Can we take a raincheck on dinner? I need to put my feet up."

"Of course. I understand." After they finished their drinks, Josie stood and kissed his cheek. "There's a girl out there waiting for you. You're the total package."

"Really, I'm not." He wasn't sure about marriage or kids.

As his friend walked away, the guy was still glued to the screen. With purpose he walked up to Ainsley and put his hand on her shoulder. She turned to see him with a surprised look.

He cleared his throat. "I'm heading home now, if you're ready we can, um, go together."

She jumped up. "Yes. I'm ready. Bye. Thanks for the drink."

He waited while she picked up her oversize bag and followed her out. Once on the sidewalk, she started laughing. "Do you think he'll notice I'm gone?"

"I watched him stare at the screen."

She looked at him. "I didn't see you. I didn't know. Can we stop walking a sec?"

He turned to her as she took shoes out of her bag and slipped out of her heels and into more comfortable shoes.

"I need to text my friend to let him know I'm safe." She took out her phone and tapped for a second and looked up. "Okay. Thanks."

They started down the sidewalk towards State Street Station. "Safe?"

"Yeah. Safe." She averted his eye by looking straight ahead.

"How do you know I'm safe?"

She missed his wink. Her jaw dropped. "I can text him that I'm with the director of IT."

He chuckled. "I'm definitely safe, but I'm not sure about the sports guy. How did you meet him?"

"How most people meet. On a dating app."

"Seriously? People tell me I should, but I've never. You are braver than me."

She stopped walking. "I'm not brave. Foolish is a better description. Why are you single?"

He chuckled. "Why are you?"

"Because decent guys like you don't join dating apps."

He felt the heat creep up his cheeks. "I was thinking it must not be a coincidence."

"What isn't?"

"That we keep running into each other. What are the odds we both work for Roche-Sumner and live in the same building."

"Whoa!" She stopped just in front of the station.

"Orange is fine." He typically took the blue line.

She shook her head. "I don't care which way. I didn't know we live in the same building."

"I didn't stalk you. Last week, after we were both at the market."

She shook her head. "How have I never seen you?"

"I use the side door."

Together they walked into the subway station. Each used their CharlieCard to go through the turnstiles. He led her to the orange platform. The cards used to pay their fares were named after the fictional character Charlie on the MBTA. They stood silently until the train screeched into the station. It was late enough so there were empty seats. She sat next to him and their thighs touched on the narrow seats.

Ian took a deep breath and let it out. "I just think maybe we should hang out since our paths cross so much."

She turned to face him with a smile. "Hang out?"

Her smile helped ease the pounding in his chest. "I mean we are neighbors and coworkers."

"Okay."

"Okay?"

"Yeah. Okay. I have wine."

"Tonight?" He didn't expect that.

"Why not? It's Friday night. What else do you have to do?"

He blushed. "I was supposed to have dinner with friends, but my plans fell through after a drink."

"You saw how successful my evening was. Do you like sports?"

"Not like that guy." He laughed.

"I'm not sure anyone could." She laughed with him.

They switched trains and rode the one stop in silence. Once on the street, he said, "We can grab sandwiches at the market."

"Is that what you bought last week?"

"No, I bought sauce for pasta."

"I have pasta."

He smiled. "You want to cook?"

She shrugged. "Together. I met a guy who thought women belonged in the kitchen or in an office taking shorthand and filing."

"Seriously?" Ian was raised by a working mother. His mother was a strong woman role model. "How many blind dates have you had?"

"Over the last two years, more than I can count." He shook his head. "You don't believe me?" She frowned.

"No, I can't believe none of them wanted to make a good impression for you."

And so it begins. Please vote ⭐️

Ian's way: Park to Government Center to State and reverse.

Ainsley's way: Park to Downtown Crossing to State and reverse.


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